Liverpool FC Forum

by **JBG** » Wed Jul 14, 2004 12:08 pm

Is it just me, but aren't things very quiet lately?

A few weeks ago we had the Gerrard controversary, before that the search for a new manager and the appointment of Rafeal Benetiz, and before that Houllier's sacking.

However, since the Gerrard situation died down three weeks ago, things have been awfuly quiet.

Sure, we signed Cisse, but that deal was done and dusted months ago, and it was really Houllier's baby.

Benetiz held training for the first time on Monday, but as far as I am aware he has still to finalise his first team coaching staff.

This is in contrast to Mourinho at Chelsea who finalised his staff prior to commencement of training and states that he wants to finalise his playing squad before 21st July.

There has been a lot of speculation in the newspapers over the past 5 or 6 weeks about who Benetiz will sign, but again, aside from Cisse, there has been no movement. Even the long expected clear out of the dead wood has been a lot slower than anticipated.

This is not levelled as a criticism of Benetiz as he probably wants to get the feel of Melwood and the playing staff before he makes any major decisions, and chances are he'll have a number of irons in the fire as far as transfers goes, but PERSONALLY I am getting slightly worried that we haven't really begun the sort of squad overhaul we all expected at the end of last season.

Perhaps its the clam before the storm?

by **stmichael** » Wed Jul 14, 2004 12:18 pm

I'm asking that same question myself, Gerrard was assured that there would be 3 or 4 world class players coming to Anfield, partly the reason he stayed.

We've had many discussions before about Houllier's flops and predicted that Benitez would hang on to them to see if he can get anything posiitive out of them but if not that then why are they here, to make up the numbers?

by **anfieldadorer** » Wed Jul 14, 2004 12:28 pm

i think, and hope, he's been doing some overhaul before speeding up with the engine.

by **blind** » Thu Jul 15, 2004 8:32 am

there has probably been alot of "behind closed doors" meetings with clubs over players and he will have wanted to get familiar with the existing squad and also get info on them from everyone at the club so that he can see who he wants to keep and who he needs to replace.

we will probably see any signings happen all at once after he has looked at all the players.

by **ckay** » Thu Jul 15, 2004 8:54 am

I said on this Forum a while ago that Benitez isn't a media monkey but I'm starting to get worried. We play Wrexham next wednesday and then off to the states and play Celtic on the following Tuesday. Surely if the signings are to come in. he'll want to take them on a pre season tour.

The only thing I can think is that any deals ( if any ) have been done behind closed doors and he'll have one press conference to name his back room staff and then parade Cisse and any others signings all at once. Fingers crossed lads.

by **112-1077774096** » Thu Jul 15, 2004 9:15 am

i dont see the press conferences where i am, has there already been a conference about Cisse?

maybe ckay is right and we are waiting to unveil a few players and staff at the same time

by **ckay** » Thu Jul 15, 2004 9:18 am

peewee wrote:i dont see the press conferences where i am, has there already been a conference about Cisse?

maybe ckay is right and we are waiting to unveil a few players and staff at the same time

There's been nothing mate. No photo's of him holding his No9 shirt or holding a scarf over his head. Nowt!!

by **azriahmad** » Thu Jul 15, 2004 9:30 am

Benny said that there is a squad of quality players at Liverpool or something like that. I hope this is true in the absence of new signings being announced.

One thing for sure is that we need more pace in the defence and in the middle of the park. On evidence of Houllier's squad last season, there is no internal remedy and surely some new purchases are needed. Or is it the case that they have been 'sandbagging' last season and would find more pace as needed now that Benithez has arrived? Unlikely as this sort of thing only happens in the movies!

by **112-1077774096** » Thu Jul 15, 2004 9:39 am

lets hope they do a mass unveiling then ckay

by **ckay** » Thu Jul 15, 2004 9:41 am

peewee wrote:lets hope they do a mass unveiling then ckay

I just hope something happens. The current squad aren't good enough to push for the title and CL.

by **112-1077774096** » Thu Jul 15, 2004 9:49 am

maybe the current squad would be ok if we let them play football

by **blind** » Thu Jul 15, 2004 11:19 am

i suppose thats a thought but we do need at least 3 new faces as well as cisse to add some width and attacking options to the side. we also need to have some better quality players who can replace injured players as we are very much lacking in the stength through out the squad. We have 13-15 good players but that needs to be 20 or more so that we will not be so badly hit by injuries when they happen.

by **simic_ie** » Thu Jul 15, 2004 11:38 am

We should only really have a first team squad of about 22 players, if someont gets injured give someone from the acedemy a chance

by **blind** » Thu Jul 15, 2004 1:59 pm

yes but we do need some good quaility cover as well as giving the acadamy players a chance.

like i said in another post somewhere. I think the kids (ie,pongolle le tallac mellor and co should be give the Carling cup to prove them selves and only let the first team regulars play where there are no new players coming through as it will give them a chance to play together competativly and give them the first team experiance that they need as well as giving Rafa a better chance to see how they are developing then just in training and reserve team matches.

by **stmichael** » Thu Jul 15, 2004 2:02 pm

blind wrote:yes but we do need some good quaility cover as well as giving the acadamy players a chance.

agreed. however in the future i wouldn't be against the idea of bringing in a rule which says that all premier league clubs must field at least two youngsters who have come through the academy.

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